Swiss Reformation: Calvin

1. Swiss Reformation: Calvin “From the Reformation to the Constitution” Bill Petro your friendly neighborhood historian www.billpetro.com/v7pc

2. ObjectivesBy the end of this session you should be able to • Trace the development of the French-Swiss Reformation • Demonstrate the philosophical origins of Presbyterianism • Describe John Calvin’s life and distinctives

3. Sacramentalized Rediscovery Formulation Re-evaluation Jerome Augustine Wycliffe Huss Erasmus Luther Zwingli Calvin

4. Swiss Cantons

5. John Calvin The Genius of Geneva • 2nd Generation Reformer • Systemizer of the Reformation • Perceptions about Calvin? • Elicits strong reactions.

6. Comments about Calvin “[Calvin] was the most Christian man of his age” Ernst Renan, French historian

7. “Genevans should bless the birthday of Calvin”Montesquieu, 18th century philosopher and political theorist

8. “I have been a witness of him for 16 years… in this man there was exhibited to all an example of the life and death of the Christian, such as it will not be easy to deprecate, and it will be difficult to imitate”Theodore Beza, Calvin’s successor

9. “Geneva: The most perfect school of Christ since the days of the Apostles.”John Knox, student and Scottish reformer

10. “Calvin has, I believe, caused untold millions of souls to be damned…”Jimmy Swaggart

11. “[Calvin was] the "cruel" and "unopposed dictator of Geneva" ”Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church

12. “Calvin… raised himself up to the rank of the Pope of the Protestants”Voltaire, French Enlightenment Philosopher

13. 1+1=1 • Zurich + Geneva = Reformed • Zwingli + Calvin = Calvinism => Presbyterianism

14. jean cauvin • Born July 10, 1509 • Noyon, France, in Picardie • Father: professional • Education: by church • University of Paris • University of Orleans • University of Bourges.

15. Calvin’s Change • 1532-33: Conversion • Nicolas Cop’s public sermon

16. Calvin: Exile • Left France for Strasbourg • Traveled under 3 assumed names • Dressed as common gardener

17. Calvin’s Travels Basel Strasbourg Italy

18. A Providential Meeting • 1536: Geneva, war detour • William Farel (1489-1565) • Challenge

19. Geneva • Popular rejection, political hostilities

20. The Exile in Exile • Strasbourg: 1538-40

21. Idelette de Bure • Widow • Anabaptist → Reformed • 1540: Woman of character

22. Back in Geneva • 1540-64 • Genevan Catechism • Ecclesiastical Ordinances • Theocracy not Ecclesiocracy • “Presbyterian” government

23. Church Officers • Pastors and teachers - to preach and explain the Scriptures • Elders - representing the congregation to administer the church • Deacons - to attend to its charitable responsibilities • Consistory of Pastors and Elders - to make all aspects of Genevan life conform to God's law.

24. Geneva: St. Pierre & Le Jet

26. John Calvin’s House, near the St Pierre’s Cathedral

28. John Calvin lived here from 1553 to 1564, year of his death. The house that he lived in was demolished in 1706 and replaced by this particular building.

29. John Calvin’s St. Pierre

30. Altar at St. Pierre’s

31. After Darkness, Light

32. John Calvin’s pulpit, St. Pierre

33. Calvin’s original Academy

34. Inside the Calvin Auditorium

35. Calvin’s triangular chair

36. Calvin’s Writings • Commentary of Seneca:De Clementia • Institutes • Commentaries on the Bible • Wrote 3,000 letters.

37. Calvin’s Sayings • “The principal work of the Spirit is faith.” • “The principal exercise of faith is prayer.” • “God commands that which we cannot do, in order that we know what we should ask of him.” • “The law commands in order that we, … might train ourselves to implore God’s aid.”

38. Luther vs. Calvin Wild Boar Quiet Peasant Professional Theology & Philosophy Humanistic & Legal Prophet Organizer Large & Strong Weak & Thin Large family Married widow, no issue

39. Luther vs. Calvin continued Monarchy Republic Consubstantiation (real) Spiritual (real means of grace) Broad (conscribe) Narrow (proscribe) Light Church Strong Church Go-go No-no

40. The Servetus Affair • Spanish theologian • 1553: Geneva • October 27

41. Calvin’s Later Life • Writings • Preached twice Sunday • Established Academy • Lectured thrice weekly • Consistory and committees • Ill health.

42. Calvin’s Contributions • Institutes of the Church • University of Geneva • Commentaries on most books of Bible.

43. Calvin’s Contributions • Defender of Democracy • Thrift – “Protestant Work Ethic” • Geneva: Haven for persecuted Christians.

44. Upper level, added for refugees

45. Calvin’s successor: Theodore Beza • Luther → Melanchthon • Zwingli → Bullinger • Calvin → Beza • 1519 – 1605 Wealthy family • University of Orleans • Both Swiss traditions united:1516: Helvetic Confession.

46. Geneva’s Wall of the Reformers Guillaume Farel, Jean Calvin, Theodore Beza, John Knox

47. Spread of Calvinism

48. 1517 Lutheran } 1532 French-Swiss Reformed Presbyterian Scottish Presb Dutch Reformed 1519 German-Swiss 1536 Swiss Brethren Reformation Traditions Luther Melanchthon Lutheranism Episcopal CalvinBeza Zwingli Bullinger Grebel Manz Simonsz Anabaptists Congregational Mennonites English Sep English Baptists

49. 1-Word Summary • Catholic Church Merit • Luther Justification • Zwingli Sovereignty • Anabaptists Believer’s Baptism • Calvin Omnipotence